Download ReCycle 2.5 Free?! Why This Is a Big Deal For Beat Makers

So, ICYMI…Reason Studios just did a thing… and not something many of us Reason users ever expected! the kind of

They dropped ReCycle 2.5! Yes, the sampling slicing God is back, and it’s FREE. I’ve been waiting for an update for YEARS!!!!

There was no build up or teaser just a few social media posts. That’s ok though, it was a good surprise.

If you’ve been in the game long enough, ReCycle is that familiar name you haven’t heard in a minute but instantly recognize.

For some of us, it was one of the first tools that taught us how to dissect loops, manipulate grooves, and think in terms of audio chunks instead of waveforms.

But now that it’s free?

A Little ReCycle History and Why It Was So Iconic

Music production was a little different in the early to mid ’90s. Computers were slow, memory was expensive, and sampling workflows were… let’s say, primitive compared to today.

But in 1994, Propellerhead Software (before it became Reason Studios) dropped a revolutionary little app called ReCycle.

The premise was simple but a total beast in its time. So much so that AKAI took notes and included them in their MPC 2000. Before Recycle, the MPCs displayed numerical values to display audio/sample lengths.

Take a Sample → Analyze the transients → Slice it into little pieces → Control the sample’s tempo without ruining the pitch.

Keep in mind this was amazing during the 90s. You could finally speed up or slow down a breakbeat without making it sound like Chipmunk or odd slowed growling mess, which was sometimes cool when done purposely.

When the REX file format was born, sample libraries suddenly exploded with REX2 loops for use in programs like Cubase, Logic, and other DAWs.

ReCycle became a godsend to many producers who produced drums, bass, and trip hop. Pretty much any genre that was sample based.

The application gave you that chopped-up feel in tracks by The Chemical Brothers, DJ Shadow, and DJ Premier, among others. It was basically the Serato Sample in its time.

Even after other DAWs caught up, ReCycle held its ground. If you ever used Reason’s Dr. Rex or, later, the Dr. Octo Rex player, you were reaping the benefits of ReCycle under the hood.

Why This Release Actually Matters in 2025

You might be wondering, “Why now?” It’s 2025, and other plugins, including technology like AI, can chop samples, re-harmonize them, and generate stems in seconds. So why should a music producer TODAY give two Cheeto poops about ReCycle?

Well, for one, ReCycle isn’t bloated. It’s not trying to be a sampler, a synth/rompler, an arranger, a plugin host, or an AI tool.

It’s simple, straight to the point, chops loops, and FAST! For many sample based producers, that type of minimalism is refreshing.

Plus, REX files still work great, and they are companies who still supply samples in this format. They are easy to work with and you can open and modify the REX Loops. They are extremely flexible.

ReCycle in a Modern Workflow

Let’s keep it simple. Here’s how you can use ReCycle today, even if you already have a good sampler (plugin) that you enjoy using.

1. Break Beat Looping and Chopping

Do you have a dusty vinyl break you want to flip like Easy MoBe but don’t have an SP-1200? No worries. Record and load that record or a sample of it into ReCycle.

From there you can manually/Auto chop it, save it as REX, and load it into any sampler that supports REX format. Or export the individual WAV shots, load them into your sampler, and manipulate them at will.

2. Breath Life Into Your Sample Libraries.

Take the sample libraries you own and prep them into usable REX files. I do this all the time. Especially when there are samples that are longer phrases and the sound designer or sample maker didn’t take the time to create loops within the library.

Sometimes, it’s better this way

3. VSTI Sample Libraries

Sample libraries that come in Kontakt or Romplers can be pretty heavy on the CPU. Sometimes, I like to play lines or hold specific notes and then chop those up in ReCycle and export to REX. This way I can use the sound or melody at a later time without needing to load the plugin within the session again.

4. ReCycle Your Beats, Songs and Compositions

Bounce lines from your tracks, chop them up and yes… Load into ReCycle so you can flip them later.

This is also a good way to add a transitional piece in the music or add another layer of creativity.

Here are Some Sample Libraries You Can Use And Chop With ReCycle 2.5

Ideally, you can use any sample libraries you want, but if you need some recommendations, check these out.

1. Deep India (Black Octopus)

Deep India Vol 2 is stacked with over 3,500 loops and one-shots of real Indian percussion; tabla, dholak, mridangam, you name it.

All recorded by a beast on the drums, KV Balakrishnan. If you want to add raw, organic rhythm to your beats or film scores, this pack has flavor for days.

Purchase Here

2. Caribbean Bundle

The Caribbean Bundle has 3 full libraries packed with steel drums, guitars, reggae rhythms, soca vibes, and tropical percussion. You’re getting loops and one shots in WAV format, 100% royalty-free, recorded at 44.1kHz/24-bit.

Reggaeton Styles 1

647 loops across 10 construction kits (2.12 GB total). You’ll find fiery Latin percussion, acoustic guitars, marimbas, brass, and more sitting between 78–102 BPM. It’s everything you need to cook up beach ready reggaeton bangers.

Finest Roots Reggae 1

Chill vibes all day with 776 loops and 11 construction kits (2.56 GB). It has beat guitars, smooth melodica, warm basslines, and rich drum tracks; recorded at 75–140 BPM. Think dub delays, live feel, and instant one-drop energy.

Dancehall Vibes 1

You get 325 loops across 23 construction kits (1.29 GB) plus 12 beat kits. There’s fat synth bass, catchy vocals, and dancehall grooves between 74–125 BPM, perfect for building beats that move the crowd.

Download Them Here

3. Boom Bap Drums

BOOM BAP is a powerful VST/AU sampler for true, hiphop heads. Packed with 430 factory presets, including drums, chops, vocals, and FX, it’s designed for fast, sample based production.

Drag and drop WAV, MP3, FLAC, OGG support, vintage sampler emulation, built-in FX, 16 outputs, and MIDI learn.

ReCycle 2.5 Updates

Aside from being compatible with modern operating systems, ReCycle 2.5 brings a few subtle but helpful improvements. One quick heads-up before you dive in:

It doesn’t overwrite older versions.
If you’ve used ReCycle before, double-check which version you’re launching. I made the mistake of opening a REX file and wondering why the UI still looked blurry on my UHD monitor—turns out I was in the old version.

Once I launched 2.5, here’s what I noticed:

Scalable GUI support – Finally! It now looks crisp on high-res monitors.
Drag and drop – You can drop REX files straight into your DAW without having to save first.
Cleaner performance – Still super lightweight and responsive, even with larger loops.

No massive overhaul, but these small quality-of-life updates really smooth out the workflow. Definitely worth the update, especially now that it’s free.

These are features I do not remember seeing in 2.2 or 2.4.c

Where To Download ReCycle 2.5 and How To Install It

Getting ReCycle 2.5 is as easy as it gets:

Go to Reason Studios’ official ReCycle page
Click the download link (macOS or Windows)
Install it like you would like any standalone app

No serial key needed. No special registration requirements. Just install and then double click the ReCycle icon to launch

Compatibility

macOS: Works via Rosetta on M1/M2. Runs fine on Ventura/Sonoma.
Windows: Works on Windows 10 and 11 with no issues reported.

Tip: Save your REX files “Loops” folder so you can drag them into Reason, FL Studio, or any DAW that supports REX2. Also, take your favorite sample libraries and REX them out!

Conclusion

ReCycle is more of a sample chopper than a sampler. Yes, it’s dated, but it gets the job done, doesn’t drain the CPU and simple to use.

If you have questions about using ReCycle, feel free to hop on our Discord and ask questions.

Also, be sure to check out other deals on sounds and synths at https://audioplugin.deals/shop/

New To Audio Plugin Deals?

Are you new to the site? How do all the sales, discounts, and deals work? Not a problem.

Here’s everything you need to know about acquiring discounts and other exclusive deals → https://audioplugin.deals/how-it-works/

ReCycle 2.5 FAQ - Just Incase You Were Wondering

1. Is ReCycle 2.5 the full version?

Yes, it’s the full version (according to Reason Studios), but it does say BETA when the program is loading.

2. Does it work with Ableton Live?

Absolutely. You can export REX files or individual slices and drop them into Simpler, Sampler, or Drum Racks. Or you can drop them directly into the DAW if you choose.

3. What’s the difference between REX and WAV?

WAV like AIFF are raw audio files. REX is sliced audio that includes timing and MIDI mapping, making it more flexible in tempo.

4. Can I drag and drop loops into my DAW?

You can drag and drop REX files from ReCycle into DAWs and samplers if they allow that feature. This works flawlessly in Reason and its devices.

5. Will ReCycle get updates again?

This is unsure, but you never know what Reason Studios has up their sleeves. They like to keep us in the dark with these things and surprise us

6. Can I batch export slices from ReCycle?

Yes, batch exporting of slices is possible, but batch exporting of slices from multiple samples is not possible.

7. Is ReCycle Easy To Use

Yes! ReCycle is extremely easy to use. However if you get confused there are plenty of YouTube tutorials (old and new) on Reason’s YouTube Channel.

8. How do I load slices into a sampler?

Export as REX or WAV, then drag into your DAW’s sampler assuming your sampler has drag and drop functionality. If not, you might have to file – import or refer to your sampler’s manaual.